Mauritius Oceanographic Institute

THE INSTITUTE

The Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI), France Centre, Quatre-Bornes, was officially established in January 2000 by the proclamation of the MOI Act (Act No. 24 of 1999). The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Mauritius extends over an area of about 1.9 million square kilometres, and provides Mauritius with a wide maritime zone to manage. This coastal and ocean territory holds an immense potential for development which could play a vital role in the future economic well being of Mauritius. At present, ocean-related activities are undertaken by a variety of institutions, but the importance of marine development for Mauritius and the diverse sources and users of maritime information calls for a strong national oceanographic institute to co-ordinate these efforts, eliminating duplication and capitalising on this development potential.

Hence, the strategic activities of MOI are:

(i) Coordination of all oceanographic activities.

(ii) Establish claim on the limit on the Continental Shelf and Exclusive economic zone

(iii) Undertake advanced scientific research in oceanography

(iv) Develop strategy to settle disputes regarding boundary delimitations

(v) Facilitate capacity building

(vi) Transform research accountable and visible

Mauritius occupies a strategic position in the Indian Ocean and has the potential to play an important role in marine research in this region. The MOI aims to undertake quality scientific research in collaboration with local and international institutions, to contribute to the regional and global matrix of oceanographic science. In this respect, the Mascarene Plateau is an important area for oceanographic research. It is one of the few places where a large ocean plateau is isolated from any continental land mass. The first and most important assignment of the MOI is the comprehensive study of the outer limits of our continental shelf, which extends well beyond the conventional 200 nautical mile limit provided by the United Nation on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This study is designed to support our claim for an extended Legal Continental Shelf.

THE SCIENTIFIC STAFF

DIRECTOR

Mitrasen BHIKAJEE, BSc (Hons.), MSc, PhD [Marine Biology]

bhikajee@moi.intnet.mu

Before joining the MOI, Dr. Bhikajee was Associate Professor at the University of Mauritius where he has been working for the past 14 years. He has also been a consultant to the Ministry of Environment, the Commission de l'Océan Indien, UNEP, UNDP and to various firms. He is the Vice President of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association and the Editor of the Mauritius Institute Bulletin. He joined the MOI in October 2003 as Adviser and was appointed Director in April 2004.

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